Human capital comes under IHR microscope

The conference, widely considered to be the leading event in the regional HR sector, is organised by the Dubai-based learning and training consultancy knowledgenetwork (knet).

Local HR experts set conference agenda
In a first, the IHR conference agenda was set following two panel discussions with local human resources professionals to identify pressing issues in the industry.

Companies represented at the advisory panels include: DUBAL; MMI; Knowledge Village; Dubai Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation; Department of Civil Aviation, Emirates; National Bank of Dubai; IBM; and Halliburton.

Abdulqader Al Khaja, CEO of knet, explained "The human resources sector in the region is one that is too often considered as reactive, rather than strategic. We felt it was key to setting the agenda at October's event that we spoke to the people who work in the sector regionally, and get their feedback on issues of importance - at every level of a company."

Maximise your human capital
This year, the theme is Maximising Human Capital, with the focus on the real-time application of theory through workshops hosted by leading regional practitioners. There will be a bonus e-learning master workshop led by Stefan van Hooydonk.

Khaja said: "With the P for People as the fifth P in the marketing mix, maximising the potential of the workforce is one of the most critical factors of business success.

"In order to maximise the potential - and value - of human capital, companies must undergo a transformation in the employment, deployment, development and evaluation of the workforce. However, it is not enough to look at theory alone: changes to the workforce must also benefit the bottom line."

Topics tabled for discussion at the conference include the strategic role of human resources, recruiting and retaining the right human capital, integrated competency based training, assessment, professional development, workplace non-academic training, Nationalisation, and investment in people for the commercial success of a company

Workshops
Among the confirmed workshop hosts are:

• Tom Bartridge, GASCO 21 Team Leader, GASCO

• Barry Cummings, Managing Director, Action in Business International FZ LLC

• Rachael Green, Recruitment, Training and Development Manager, Dubai Duty Free

• Jenny Ide, Managing Partner, Arabian Assessment and Development Centre

• Philip Marsh, Managing Director, Stafford Associates

• Armond Robitaille, General Manager, Human Resources and Organisational Effectiveness, DUBAL

• Speakers from the Emirates Group and the British Council

Bonus e-learning master workshop
As part of a HR-industry drive to promote e-learning in Arabia, the conference organisers have confirmed that Stefaan van Hooydonk will lead a master workshop on e-learning.

According to Khaja, online learning must be used as part of an integrated training solution - including on-the-job experience - to ensure its effectiveness in maximising human capital. The e-learning debate is at the top of many companies' agendas, as they look to harness the power of the Internet for bottom-line benefit.

Khaja explained: "Some organisations focus too much on the e-learning component and forget to integrate with other learning elements during, and after, the initial training. There is no substitute for on-the-job skill application, but if practical experience follows online training, it maximises the effectiveness of both channels."

According to Khaja, training managers need to address the right balance of coaching, monitoring, and measuring after e-learning training for ongoing and sustainable performance improvement.

"The most direct path to a successful e-learning initiative is to recognise that true performance improvement can only occur when you balance the e-learning component with all other elements over time."

This view was backed up by van Hooydonk, a key strategist in international e-learning. He said: "Online learning is not about taking a course and putting it on the desktop. It is about a new blend of resources, interactivity, performance support and structured learning activities."

Van Hooydonk, formerly e-learning director for Nokia, will debate a number of issues with delegates, such as the most effective deployment of e-learning in the corporate world, aligning e-learning with business bottom-line, and the adaptation of online learning to different cultures.

Professional development
knet is an independent training and management consultancy, and specialises in live speaker seminars and business conferences including IHR Arabia. It provides access to a network of international, regional and local organisations, such as the Chartered Institute of Marketing, the Chartered Institute of Personnel Development, Institute of Administrative Management, and the Institute of Leadership and Management as well as the Masters Certificate in Project Management from Regis University.